DR CAM CALDER National Party List MP - Blog

Prostate Health

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:31:24 +1200

In my Maiden speech on entering Parliament, I spoke of the need for a Government campaign alerting men of the need to take responsibility for their Prostate health. This budget has $4.3 million over 4 years to improve care and mens' awareness of Prostate cancer - the most common cancer diagnosed in NZ men.

Outstandingly good news for all Kiwi blokes, wives, partners and families !!!!

White Paper for vulnerable children

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:19:47 +1300

Most New Zealand parents love, nurture and protect their children, however, for decades New Zealand has seen 7-11 of our children murdered each year by those could have been expected to care and protect them. In addition, over 200 children are hospitalised following severe physical violence each year.

The White Paper for vulnerable children is designed to identify, support and protect the 20-30,000 of our most vulnerable kiddies. I spoke in my Maiden speech about how society is judged by how we treat our most vulnerable, and observed that a Government cannot legislate aroha, a Government cannot legislate love.

I am enjoying being a White Paper champion. This White Paper is for those children who are poorly loved. I have been visiting towns and cities all over New Zealand holding public meetings on our plans to protect our most vulnerable children.

The White Paper is informed by over 10,000 submissions from New Zealanders including 2,000 from children, feedback from frontline health professionals in Justice, Health and Education, and best international practice. An underlying message is that we are all accountable in reporting any instances where we feel a child is vulnerable.

So far, I have held public meetings in Mapua, Motueka, Blenheim, Kaikoura, Timaru, Marton and Feilding. Next week I shall be holding meetings in Napier and Invercargill. I am relishing the opportunity to spread the word on this significant initiative and am proud that this Government is addressing this appalling stain on our nation.

Manurewa blog - 26 November 2012

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 12:27:46 +1300

Sunday November 25th was White Ribbon Day. The White Ribbon Campaign is a campaign against violence towards women. I was fortunate to be able to access a Triumph Speedmaster bike from Holeshot Motorcycles in Takapuna and joined the White Ribbon Day riders at the Devonport Naval Base Marae on Sunday morning. The nucleus of the riders were members of the Patriot Defence Force Motorcycle Club and Te Ahi Kikoha. All other riders who wished to signify their support for the campaign were welcome to attend. The ride went via Mount Roskill and culminated at the Te Ngira Marae in Papakura. I took the opportunity to speak on the Marae and outline the appalling number of women and children who are subject to violent abuse in our country. I suggested that remedying this will need parents, family, whanau, the wider community, as well as Government to all hold ourselves accountable as champions against violence and intervene in situations where it is present.

Earlier in the week I had been holding public meetings in Blenheim, Mapua, Kaikoura and Timaru, outlining the Government's White Paper for protecting our most vulnerable children. It was a privilege to join the White Ribbon riders, men from many disparate backgrounds, as they made their very emphatic statement that violence is unacceptable. I'm off to Marton and Feilding this afternoon to hold another couple of meetings on the White Paper.

Manurewa blog - 2 November 2012

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:49:25 +1300

The Foundation for Youth Development does an excellent job throughout New Zealand in helping grow great Kiwi kids. It was a pleasure to join Hon Paula Bennett and meet many of the FYD team yesterday at their annual Community Partner and Trustee Conference.

The Foundation for Youth Development with their Kiwi Can, Stars and Project K initiatives in our Manurewa schools positively affect the lives of well over 4,000 of our young people. I was pleased to be given the opportunity to relate the story of Manurewa High School's success at the Young Enterprise Scheme Regional Awards the previous night and thank FYD for their contribution in our community which has helped make such successes possible.

Manurewa Blog - 30 October 2012

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:30:09 +1300

This morning I attended the Youthline Manukau Youth and Community Centre opening. It was a vibrant affair in the beautifully refurbished Papatoetoe fire station. Youthline workers and the myriad of Government, NGO’s, and Local Government personnel involved were all bedecked with flower lei’s making it a colourful occasion. The Youthline Manukau Centre will bring together a number of groups working alongside our young people among them Foundation for Youth Development, Youth Law, and St Johns as well as Youthline itself. Troubled young people often suffer from social isolation, of being alone in a crowd. “Alongsiders” like Youthline stand with those, who in many regards stand alone. I am confident that this facility and the people working therein will be a huge asset for our South Auckland youth community.

Manurewa Blog - 2 July 2012

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:17:35 +1200

On Friday evening I had the pleasure of attending the ASB Stage Challenge, where schools from all over Auckland competed. It was an evening of outstanding imagination, virtuosity and talent. The standards of performance and creativity were extremely high. Winners on the night for the RAW Division were Botany Downs Secondary College with Avondale College taking the win in the Open Division category. The following Saturday morning saw me at Mountford Park watching the local derby between Manurewa High School and James Cook High School. The standard of rugby and athleticism was remarkable but in the end an older and much heavier Manurewa team proved far too strong for a young and relatively inexperienced James Cook High. Saturday evening I attended the premiere of ‘Black Confetti’, a play by Eli Kent, put on by the Auckland Theatre Company in the small and intimate Herald Theatre. Eli Kent is a Generation-Y playwright and I suspect an emerging major talent in New Zealand Theatre. The production was a credit to all concerned.

Manurewa Blog - 26 June

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 12:24:43 +1200

On Monday I had the pleasure of speaking with a composite class at Redoubt North Primary School as part of the Sir Peter Blake Trust, ‘Dare to Dream’ Leadership Week initiative. I was tapped on the shoulder to be a part of the 'Dream Team', and share my own dreams and stories with the children, as well as inspiring them to realise the possibilities that their future may bring.

It was an informal chat. I touched on my own experiences of life and the importance of attitude. My own dad died when I was 6 years old - I grew up without a father in the house, an experience a regrettably large number of the kids could relate to.

I was brought up to believe in the power of positive thinking and that we create our own reality. Within reason, we can achieve whatever we set our hearts on. We can learn from our mistakes and - if at first we don't succeed, try, try again. I used a range of models as diverse as musical groups OMC and ADEAZE, Sir Peter Blake, Robert the Bruce and the All Blacks in the discussion of setting goals as they talked of their dreams, and leadership.

The bright sparkling eyes and lively intelligence of the children was a testimony to the nurturing learning environment provided by Redoubt North Primary and the excellent grounding they have received to prepare them to achieve their future goals and aspirations. I was inspired!

Manurewa Blog - 19 June

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:30:32 +1200

New Zealand society benefits enormously from the efforts of countless volunteers working with non-governmental organisations. Such organisations as the Kidney Society Auckland. The Kidney Society, was established in 1980, and provides free lifelong community support for around 2,000 people with kidney failure and their families in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and the Tairawhiti regions. I recently had the pleasure of a preview of the new Community Dialysis House in Mangere which the Minister will open later this week. I was struck by the homely feel of the community house. Many haemodialysis patients choose to travel to a hospital unit three times a week, others dialyse at home. The Community Dialysis House fulfils a need for those whose home circumstances may not be conducive to dialysing at home and yet wish to maintain their independence away from a hospital setting. It was humbling to talk to patients undergoing dialysis at the time of my visit and hear firsthand how much they value the community facility. I commend the Kidney Society Auckland for their initiative in providing this invaluable service for our South Auckland community.

Manurewa Blog 18 June 2012

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 12:42:35 +1200

On Friday morning I went to the Cambria Park Homestead, the headquarters of Age Concern, in the Manurewa electorate where I attended the unveiling of an art installation. This was timed to coincide with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The installation is a Tree of Life sculpture, a concrete base with flowing arms made out of fibreglass. If you are interested to see it, there is a photo on my Facebook page. The sculpture is surrounded by seating with mosaic panels which many members of the local community had input into. I want to pay credit to the Manukau Beautification Trust, who have had such a positive effect in our Manurewa community, and who facilitated the building of the sculpture and the surround seating. Our older people are a repository of huge reservoirs of skills and knowledge in our community and I commend Age Concern and the Trust for such a proactive measure as the Tree of Life sculpture, highlighting our need to care for our older people

Manurewa Blog - 1 June

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:26:49 +1200

It’s been a busy time in Manurewa just before the holiday weekend. Thursday night I had the pleasure of attending the Pacific Music Awards at the Telstraclear Events Centre in the Manurewa electorate. It was an evening of outstanding Pasifika virtuosity and talent. Adeaze won best Urban artist, best group and best song for ‘Paradise’, and I don’t think it will be long before I have their album ‘Rise and Shine’ on the iPhone. David Dallas won best male artist for his album ‘The Rose Tint’. It was a great evening and huge respect to all involved, both those organising and those performing.

On Friday morning I visited Fisher & Paykel Healthcare with Health Select Committee colleagues Dr Jackie Blue and Dr Jian Yang. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare is one of New Zealand’s most successful companies. It exports to 120 countries worldwide, and employs more than 2,500 people around the world. Many of those, including 325 staff dedicated to research and development, are employed at the Fisher & Paykel facility in East Tamaki. It was a pleasure to meet with many of the staff, and observe the production and research facilities. Fisher & Paykel invest over 8% of operating revenue into research and development, which helps them remain world leaders in their field of respiratory and acute care, medical products, and products for obstructive sleep apnoea. It was a pleasure to meet staff and management of a New Zealand company preeminent in its field and the shared team spirit was palpable.

Manurewa Blog 18 May

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:34:57 +1200

It has been a busy recess in and around Manurewa, visiting local businesses, schools and community organisations. It was a very interesting visit to TOA Pacific, who deliver care to aged Pasifika people. Malia and her team play an important role in encouraging prolonged independence and enhanced health and well-being among the older community and it was a pleasure to be invited to join their dance session on our visit with Minister for Senior Citizens Jo Goodhew, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga and Kanwal Bakshi.

In 2009 I visited the Homai Campus of the Blind and Low Vision Education Network (BLENNZ) in Manurewa. The then director Gwen Nagel outlined her hopes and visions for a future new campus. On Wednesday it was a huge pleasure to accompany Education Minister Hekia Parata to the opening of a modern, beautifully designed facility at Homai. It was a cause for celebration by the extended BLENNZ family and it was a great opportunity for me to talk with members of the community from as far afield as Invercargill, Gisborne and Whangarei as well as local workers. The contributions by current students on the differences between the old facilities and the new, were particularly acute and delivered with humour and some fine oratory.

Manurewa Blog - 16 March 2012

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:38:55 +1300

It’s been great being out and about around Manurewa during this recess week. Yesterday I called in at Polyfest, and I hope to do so again on Saturday after my meeting with the Manurewa Local Board where we will be celebrating the opening of their new office - well situated next to the Manurewa library. Yesterday evening I had the pleasure of attending a meeting of the Manurewa Youth Council. The Council was established last year and provides an opportunity for our Manurewa young people to have a voice in our community. It was good to meet the committed, passionate and energetic members of the Council and learn about their plans for 2012. The Council hopes to hold a number of fora where local youth can have their say and I am eagerly awaiting the outcome of their first, currently slated to start mid-April, where local youth will be asked where they see Manurewa being in ten years time.

A month of celebration of Pasifika in Auckland

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:07:34 +1300

Last Friday I was privileged to go to the opening of the Pasifika Celebrations at Western Springs with colleague Sam Lotu-Iiga, a vibrant and diverse celebration of our Pasifika community. Western Springs is a great venue for Pasifika and allows all communities to have their own space to showcase their culture and I look forward to it each year. Another eagerly awaited event in the Pacific calendar is PolyFest, and today in Manurewa I had the pleasure of attending the opening of the 2012 PolyFest at the Manukau Sports Bowl in the Manurewa electorate. 37 years ago three schools got together to celebrate their Polynesian culture, and today, around 60 schools take part and competition is fierce for the various performance categories. I’m looking forward to returning during the week and hopefully catching some of the performances from Manurewa schools.

Manurewa Blog - Bluegreens Forum 2012

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:37:27 +1300

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of attending the 2012 Bluegreens Forum, at the beautifully situated North Shore Squash Centre overlooking Lake Pupuke, on Auckland’s North Shore. The conference got off to an outstanding start with a panel comprising of Sir Stephen Tindall, Phil O'Reilly and Sir Peter Gluckman on Greening New Zealand's Growth. There is huge international interest the year in the concept of green growth, with the OECD Forum in March and it being the focus of the UN's main Conference this year, Rio +20. At last year’s Bluegreens forum in Akaroa, which I attended, Finance Minister Hon Bill English announced the establishment of the Green Growth Advisory Group. Their report "Greening New Zealand's Growth" was presented and discussed at this year’s conference. The Report contains 26 recommendations to the Government to build a more productive and competitive economy while meeting environmental objectives. The various recommendations are being considered by relevant Ministers. The report concludes that New Zealand needs a broad growth strategy where all sectors take into account their environmental performance. As the Bluegreens Conference progressed it became apparent that environmental awareness is woven more and more into all aspects of New Zealand society. I was impressed with evidence of the collaborative decision making, being practised particularly in areas of fresh-water management, an area where the Government is continuing to invest heavily.

National-led Government hard at work and focused

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:50:00 +1300

The 2011 Election is over, with New Zealanders delivering National the highest vote for any party since 1951. This great election result is a sign of the confidence people have in the National-led Government and our focus on less debt, more jobs, and strong, stable economic management in these difficult financial times.

We have a number of things to get underway for the economy with our Post-Election Action Plan, once Ministers have been sworn in. We will continue building a brighter future for you and your family, and continue to provide a hardworking, stable and pragmatic Government.

These include focusing on halving the Budget deficit next year and getting back in surplus in 2014/15 and extending the mixed ownership model to four SOEs to keep debt down and let Kiwis invest in large New Zealand companies. We’re going to introduce tougher consumer credit laws to target loan sharks and protect consumers.

We’re making comprehensive changes to welfare, putting further focus on getting those who can work, back to work, and making changes so that if someone is on the run from the Police with a warrant out for their arrest, we can stop their benefit
We are continuing our slew of changes in law and order which includes altering bail laws to make it harder for those accused of the most serious offences to get bail. We’ll also increase penalties for breaches of protection orders and change the way evidence is heard to better protect vulnerable court participants – especially children.

In education we will make secondary school performance information available to parents, so that they are better informed about their child’s learning environment and will start a review of the Teachers Council to improve the quality of teaching.
Continuing our efforts to raise participation in early childhood education (ECE), we’re setting a target of 98 per cent of new entrants having participated in ECE to be met by 2015, and looking at introducing new services in areas of highest need.

National’s next steps in health include increasing the number of essential elective operations by at least 4,000 a year. We’re shortening waiting times for specialist appointments, starting work on providing free after-hours GP visits for children under six, and ensuring that every state house built before 1978 that can be insulated is insulated.

We are committed to rebuilding Canterbury. We’re providing certainty to locals by finishing the red zone classification process. We’ll also build a 17,000-seat temporary stadium at Addington, and we’ll use CERA’s powers to continue to release land for residential subdivision and ensure there is an adequate supply of land to rebuild.

We’ve signed confidence and supply agreements with other parties in Parliament to help form a strong, stable, National-led Government for the coming three years. Together, we’ll build a brighter future for all New Zealanders.